Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her question. Minister Burke is aware there is a range of views in relation to this proposal. He will not be in a position to make a decision on the plan to develop the precinct until all matters required by the terms of the strategic assessments have been appropriately investigated. The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority has finalised its draft recommendation report with draft approval conditions and completed a two-week public appeals period. Minister Burke is advised the West Australian Office of the Appeals Convenor is considering appeals received before providing a report to the Western Australian environment minister for final decision. Minister Burke will not be in a position to make a decision on this proposal until the Western Australian government has finalised its strategic assessment documents to meet the terms of the strategic assessments agreement.

Minister Burke has received an application under sections 9 and 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 to protect an area near James Price Point. The act requires that a report be commissioned in response to the section 10 application. The environment department is currently consulting interested parties on Minister Burke's behalf as part of the section 9 process. During the course of consultation the applicants stipulated conditions for the management of culturally sensitive evidence which Woodside Energy Ltd and the Western Australian government refused to accept. Attempts to resolve this impasse delayed the decision-making process. As the applications are the subject of a legal decision-making process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further.